Utsuki slept almost the entire time to the school. It was probably about two hours from the mountain to the nearest tunnel that would take them to the right place. Thankfully nobody seemed to notice anything was up with the half naked girl when he stopped for fuel. It might have been that someone did, and they were just long gone before any authorities arrived.

Going through the weird darkness that was the tunnel in between the realities, he felt more at peace that he had been in a long time. Possibly from the fact that all the fights he got into at the school were decidedly non lethal. Possibly from the girl he could finally admit that he was in love with leaning against him again as they drove. He couldn't remember ever being this happy before, not even when he was with Lizzy.

"You look horrible Tekeshi, she does too. I am glad you two came out of that ok," Akasha was concerned looking at the two.

"At least we look alive. I will take horrible over corpse any day of the week," He replied.

"Has she been awake any?"

"I managed to go through one of the few drive thrus in this country, and managed to convince them that she was a friend that I helped get out of a bad relationship with a politician's son. They didn't ask any questions about how she was dressed after that. I got us something that I think was supposed to be a cheeseburger, and she ate that, and then she fell right back to sleep. Deesseedra has refused to show herself since we left the village. That isn't such a bad thing since she is only wearing a bra, which is incredible in and of itself, and a thong. I really did not want to try to explain that to anyone."

"Hehehe, you have such an interesting life. I'm sure your father is not jealous. Of course it seems like everything worked out for him. At least it doesn't seem like his bed is overfilled every night. I know that he was worried about that being a possibility, and he was so innocent that he couldn't even understand that there were so many men who thought there was something wrong with him."

"Grandma, you are telling me things I don't necessarily want to know about my parents, and I would appreciate you stopping while you are ahead," he made a face at the knowledge.

"Sorry. I speak before my brain catches up. Which lacking a brain, it is easy to understand."

Tekeshi shook his head, "Grandma, I have to admit, you have way too good of an attitude for someone in your existential situation."

She shrugged, "I don't really have that much of a choice. Either I fall into despair, or I keep a good attitude. Who knows, you are a genius, maybe one day you will figure out a way to send me on to the next life, or give me back a physical body. The second would be preferable."

"As long as it isn't so you can try to sleep with my old man, then I will look into it."

Akasha could only go red in response.

As he pulled up to the back lot of the school he saw his and Utsuki's mother waiting for them. Both looked worried, Utsuki's mother most of all. He wasn't sure why the human was there, and was worried at the fact with how brutal the school could be. He saw his father walk up, and as he parked Tsukune came over and picked the girl out of the vehicle and silently headed towards the building that had the visitors suites, followed by her mother.

"How is she? I can't imagine that this was easy on her, or you," Moka seemed more tired than Tekeshi could ever remember seeing her.

"She is tougher than she really has any right to be. I would almost say that she is tougher than I am. What is her mom doing here, isn't it dangerous for her. I mean, it's dangerous for me, and I'm a vampire."

"Your father made her a talisman, thing, deal, I don't really understand it. Somehow it makes anyone that wants to harm her understand that they would pay any harm done to her with their life. If you really want to know ask him, if I think too hard on the whole seal and formation thing my head starts to hurt."

Tekeshi chuckled before getting serious, "I haven't asked having more important things to be concerned with, but how bad is my bike. I know it probably isn't salvageable, but I, I want to know."

"Your Aunt Akua retrieved it, and she said it was bad. The frame was almost folded in half completely, and the engine block was shattered. I really don't like motorcycles all that much, but I know how much it meant to you," she hated telling him, but lying wouldn't have helped anything.

"I kind of expected that. I found the person that actually hit us. She was a nutjob and a half. Also, and you won't believe this, she was a bigger pervert than Machiko is. I will never say anything bad about her again. At least she only gropes and makes jokes, this bitch, apparently tortured and raped 'Suki's uncle, her own cousin. A damn child. Her father probably wasn't much better. 'Suki did something to her, and her dad dealt with his uncle. I would love to forget so much of what has happened this last month or so, it has been hell."

Moka hugged the teen, who just fell against her exhausted, "I know. However you made it through things that probably no one else can ever claim to have been through, and you came out the other side stronger. Like your father said, you are so much stronger than other vampires have claimed to be, just from doing things while being weaker."

"That is a really weird thing to say, and I would have had something to say against it before, but, I think I am starting to understand what he means. I want things to settle down, so that some things can come to pass that will be really good."

"You finally worked out your feelings for 'Suki then," his mother asked.

"I love her. I don't know how to explain it, and the thought of saying it straight to her scares me so badly, I don't even know how to comprehend it. I mean I don't have any of those cheesy country song symptoms. I feel like I can eat, breathe, and I can think about other things. I just, want her there with me, no matter what happens, or how hard it gets. I just, don't want to say anything to her, and scare her away if she doesn't feel the same way about me. I would rather we be friends for the rest of our lives, than lose her because I scared her away."

"You are your father's son. When the time is right, you will most likely have your answer. You know that I will always be pulling for you, no matter what. All your aunt's are too. We are all behind you, and are praying that you and her come together as the universe intends."

"Thank you. I know how much you don't want me here, but please, just let me take her from here," Utsuki's mother said as they entered the suite.

"I understand. Know this though, if she wants nothing to do with you, don't force her. If you try, then you will be forced to leave. I am more concerned with her well being, than yours," Tsukune had no warmth in his voice as he lay the still sleeping Utsuki on the bed.

The woman shivered slightly at the words, "I understand. I won't force her, I don't have the right to. I just want some time with her so that, we can at least try."

"Very well. If you need anything, there is a list of extensions next to the phone. Either call the headmaster's, female athletics director, or the head doctor's. Have a good night," he left the room.

Tamiko turned to her daughter. It was strange in a way. She didn't have any good memories with the girl, but she still loved her. Seeing her caked in dirt, and sleeping in such an exhausted manner, it hurt her.

She sat down beside her and gently shook her shoulder, "Utsuki, it's your mother. Can you wake up?"

The voice that was groggy, "Let me sleep. So tired."

"Leave her alone. She will wake up when she wants to. We, however, need to have a little chat," Tamiko stiffened in fear at the cold, evil voice that sounded behind her.

"Who, who are you," she turned to see a petite, purple haired girl with horns standing there half naked, and resembling her daughter in such a scarily close manner.

"My name is Deesseedra, and you, I will come up with a name when I have you figured out, are Lovely Mistress's mother. You caused her so much pain, and the only reason you are still breathing is because she said you are off limits. I haven't let her know that I can, even though I won't enjoy the aftermath, disobey her if I truly think it is best. As to who I am to her, I am her slave. I am a demon bound to her until death, and the source of her power."

"I don't understand what you mean. Slave? Power? DEMON? What does any of this mean. Why do hate me, you haven't even met me before? Why are you naked," the last one wasn't that important like the other questions, but she wasn't able to stop herself.

"I'm not naked. I'm wearing underwear, but don't change the subject. If you do anything to harm my Lovely Mistress, I will make you suffer. I am more benevolent with the Short Father, but you, I could feel how much she hated you when memories surfaced in her mind. No one hates that much without reason, so just remember, if she is there, so am I," and with that she faded from view.

"Mom," the voice was still groggy, "is that you?"

Tamiko turned, "Yes, Utsuki. It, it is me. How do you feel?"

"Where am I? Where's Tekeshi-kun? I'm so tired, and I don't feel really clean," the girl said as she came more to reality.

"We are in a suite that Mr. Aono is letting me stay in for the moment. I think there is a bath in here, can you stand?"

Utsuki managed to sit up a little unsteadily, "Probably not by myself. I thought I heard Deesseedra, I hope she didn't try to hurt you. If she did we are going to have a long talk about boundaries."

Tamiko helped her daughter to her feet, "Here, let me help you bathe. I don't want you falling and hurting yourself."

"You look good Mom, I guess whatever did that to you is gone. The bitch that was responsible, she's been punished for it. I am so sorry for how I acted all these years," she said as her mother helped her undress and move to the bath.

Undressing herself she helped the younger woman to the bath stool, "Whatever it was is gone. I don't understand all this talk of curses, and monsters, and yokai. I am just glad I have a chance to apologize to you for my own actions. All of it feels hazy now, but I can get bits and pieces of it if I work hard, and... Utsuki, I hate myself so much," tears began to trickle down her cheeks as she embraced her daughter.

"Mom, I, I, I love you. I know how bad things were, and I know why now. Dad, he, killed his uncle. I don't know that it makes anything better, but, I don't want to think about the past anymore. There isn't anything happy back there. I, am glad that you and Dad sent me here though."

Her mother managed to gather herself and began helping the girl to wash the grime away. It almost seemed like as the dirt swirled down the drain, years of animosity followed. It was the first positive interaction they had had since she was a toddler., and it was probably both the happiest, and kinda weirdest they could have had.

"Are you ready for your hair,' her mother asked when her skin was back to its typical porcelain shade.

"Yeah, that smells good, what scent is that," she asked as Tamiko poured some shampoo into her hair.

"I'm not one hundred percent sure. I didn't really read the label, I just passed it a few days before we came back to Japan and bought it. I'm glad you like it. I made a few friends in San Francisco, so I may be able to get them to send some more. So, you are happy here," she asked as she worked it into the mats that her daughter's hair never developed before.

"I am. I can't wait to introduce you to Asusa. She is, a bit cold? It's hard to explain, but she is a Yuki-Onna. A snow fairy. She is one my best friends here, though her twin sister doesn't seem to like me that much. Then there is, Harumi, and the less said the better. Well, I don't have to worry about the back issues she will have. I mean, one cup of her bra would fit over the head of everyone I have ever met. Completely, even halfway down their neck."

"Good god, what sin did she commit to be cursed like that? Please tell me she is considering reduction surgery," the older woman couldn't believe it.

"She is a succubus. Her mother has slightly bigger than she does. There is also Machiko, she's a witch, and a pervert. I really recommend standing against walls with your arms over your boobs near her."

Tamiko hesitated for a second, "What is this thing about you being a witch now? I don't understand any of this, but I, I want to understand what is happening with you. I sort of heard how you were, what is the word? I don't know, but became involved with, uh, Deesseedra? I heard she was supposed to kill you."

"She was. We don't know who summoned her, but her plan was to kill and eat me. I don't even know why, or if it was even because of me. Tekeshi-kun thinks it might have been because of him. When she attacked, Tekeshi-kun fought back against her, but she swatted him away like a fly. I saw him fly past me and through a building. I fell, while I was running to get Mr. Aono, and out of nowhere Tekeshi-kun came flying in with a sword and cut her in half below her breasts. Apparently I swallowed a drop of her blood that sprayed across my face. After that, I found out that she was bound to me. A few weeks later I learned that I was a witch of war. I can't explain it really well, but Mother Madonna can. She is the leader of a whole order of witches."

"You speak quite a bit about Tekeshi. I take it he is special to you."

Utsuki let her head dip a little, "He is, my best friend. His father made him my bodyguard when I first got here, and he saved my life, even before everything that happened during summer break. I don't. Mom, I think, I think I am in love with him."

"I see. Why are you acting like that makes you sad?"

"He, had a girlfriend when he was younger and living in the U.S.. We encountered her over the summer, and she tried to kill him. I'm not anything like her though. I'm basically a fraud in my personality, and I don't have the confidence that she exuded. She had such nice tanned skin, and she kind of looked like a pixie. I can't compete with that."

"Utsuki, I know that I, I made you think you weren't good enough so often over the years, but it isn't true. You are beautiful, even more so than so many of the women you see on magazines. I am so sorry for breaking your self confidence, but I will help you rebuild it. If it is meant to be though, you may find that he feels the same way. Hold your nose and close your eyes," she poured water over the younger woman's head to rinse the shampoo out of her hair.

"You are staying here? Do you know how dangerous that is? I have barely survived, and I wouldn't have if it wasn't for Tekeshi-kun."

"Mr. Aono has given me a job as counselor. He also gave me some kind of charm or something that is supposed to protect me. Don't worry about me, I will be fine. You've had a long day, lets relax in a hot bath for a while, and then get some sleep. You need to get ready to get back to classes in a couple of days."

"Ok, Mom. I'm glad, we can be happy for once," Utsuki said as her mother helped her into the tub of hot water and joined her.